success of getting to the white house? most of them don't run the table. there are some. didy carter for example who run the table. even george w. bush won iowa. he was a republican front runner. tends to process that elevate some candidates. whittle out others. there's a lot of concern in other places about all the that iowa has. iowa i thought was the beginning of the process. of the process. state -- while iowa does not reflect the country as a whole, the activist, the people do tend to reflect their party. you look at the people who go to caucus, they look look like the people who show up the floor in the democratic convention. same is true in the republican party. it's the beginning of activist

grassroots. people get involved in their party. starting to vet their candidates. host: here's chester, lives.vania, karen democrats line. caller: hi. i'm a democrat but i'm about to change my registration because in pennsylvania, i can't vote for a republican. is, why is not the johne country behind kasich. he has everything? he has success, he has executive congressional experience. he has a proven record. not emotional or ideological. calm, cool and matter of fact about his success. i don't understand why the whole is not behind him. i'm ready to change my registration just so i can vote primary.n the i think it's wonderful. thanks.ren kasich,ell, governor let's remember, this is the

beginning. i'm not willing to dismiss him entirely. he's not one of the top tier candidates. is governor of iowa automatically presidential considered for the presidency the importance iowa has in national elections that the state republican have win thef they hope to white house. kasich, to win in a big competitive state like that and he's got pretty good job approval rating, he's got a record to prove. emphasis onot more campaigning in new hampshire than he has here in iowa. he's done pretty well. he's got endorsements in new endorsements.a i'm not willing to count governor kasich out. host: what do we watch for from now to monday? what do you watch for and what would you advise other people to watch for especially leading up to the can you -- caucuses on

monday? guest: does anybody make any huge mistakes. sometimes there's gaffes in the end. secondly, look at the size of the turnout. benefit donaldl trump and bernie sanders. signs thatk at any people are starting to move from or another.e for example, marco rubio is in third place. one republican who tends to get support from the party.actions of pick up support from tea partiers and libertarians and other conservatives. i think he can do pretty well. you got to look at these last minute preferences and how people break for one candidate another. at the beginning, lot of people parties.ided in both particularly republican party. i think a lot of them could be minds.ed to change their try to watch anything that might

change their minds. developments nationally that emergencies or anything like have an impact. host: david yepsen is the director of the paul simon public policy university at southern illinois university formally des moines register. your time on c-span. guest: thank you very much. tot: coming up, we're going hear from iowa state senator he supportsout why donald trump and the donald trump campaign there in iowa. later on in the program, as you heard our guest talk about conservative christian voters are a key voter block in iowa. later in the program, bob vander th -- thee family of president of the family leader organization. for.voters are looking we have been showing you students this morning from ofpson college, just south des moines university. talking about their political daysss especially in the leading up to the caucuses.

we had a chance to cat with some politically active students. junior here at simpson clench participate in project here in the political science department. tell us about the fact check did.you >> i fact check rick santorum isgesting that immigration causing wages to be depressed and this is causing people to not work as much. we found overall, that part of was very over emphasize and there are other factors are causing this. >> you're participating in fact check. what do you think the students get out of doing that in this ?lection cycle >> in the political science thertment, we tend to be nerds and do the research anyway. it was important to me that professor bardwell had us do one

party.h but also looking at our own party and looking at the claims that we were making. weare other hat that you here at simple son, how do manage that job in a year where there are so many republican candidates? >> there are a ton of republican candidates. to approach that by saying yes to anyone who came to us and making all of those come to fruition. we've been really lucky in being to des moines to do those things and iowa is really important too. able to go to the couple of events and do a lot of all the different candidates. my part is making sure it's yes.s a >> who are you supporting in this election outside of your role as a fact checker here? >> i will be supporting bernie sanders. >> why is that? >> i believe he is the voice.sive i think he's done an excellent job in engaging the youth.

reasons you came to simpson, you wanted to be it takeshe action as place. tell us about your role in that. have you been able to participate? been really wonderful. to see jeb bush, bernie sanders and hillary clinton. >> the weekend prior to the be a phren frenzyl of activities. there are so many candidates on sides.ublican there are three viable candidates on the democratic side. each of them. what we'll be locking for is really give that you a sense of what it's like to campaign for the caucuses. key is organization. you need to make sure those people who support you get to caucuses. it's going to be interesting to see how the candidates are trying to close the deal, sell their message and convince those people who might be on the fence candidate a or candidate b. what crewel -- what you'll see

wall coverage on c-span as candidates make their final pitches >> c-span this weekend, live coverage of the presidential in iowa.s >> "washington journal" continues. host: shot of the skyline of des where, iowa, that's "washington journal" will be based on monday. we're having an opportunity to residents of iowa about issues concerning politics and political campaigns as well. us next is brad zaun. iowa state senator. he is also a supporter of the trump campaign. morning. guest: good morning pedro. it's an honor to be on your program. host: walk us how you became to supporter of donald trump? guest: well obviously as a state senator, we get a lot of phone calls from the candidates. lobbied. my wife and i did a lot of

praying and a lot of based on what mr. trump have ct our candidate. it's a long process. if you know anything about iowa, you're an elected official, you certainly get a lot of opportunities to have one on one conversations. recognizing there's a lot of field.andidates in this we felt many issues, that donald trump was the best person to change the direction of america. host: as far as those issues are concerned, what stood out he offered compared to what the other candidates offering? guest: well, i've gotten a little taste of what's going on politics because i unsuccessfully ran for congress. how the lobbiest and the

pac try to influence the elections. very refreshing , was he was self-financing his campaign. which he's not going to owe goes towhen he washington d.c. we have five kids. important to us that someone was talking about the debt and having a conversation about making sure not spending more money we take in but most importantly we start to pay the debt off. obviously, the military having a care military and taking of the veterans. a fighter.he's he's someone that has actually created jobs not from washington through created jobs the private sector. i just think that he knows how the economy and myself as a small business background, refreshings really to have someone that's not made career out of politics. oft: there's been a lot

discussion about donald trump's political philosophy. how would you define him politically? aest: i would say that he is conservative and obviously he's a business person. runs his campaign like a business which is really refreshing. likeer seen a campaign this. he's someone -- i've spent a lot privately.h him without him standing at the podium, he's a lot different person. believe his word. going to go to washington d.c. and make tough but make right decisions. host: you say you spend a lot of time with him. essentially when you spend time with him alone and talking about the mantell us about donald trump then compared to who we see on the stage? different. a lot .e's a very genuine

he's a very good listeners. andpent a lot of time helped a lot of people out. i know there's been some reports him paying off a mortgage when his vehicle broke down once. i see a lot of things that he on thefore he goes out stage. i see many times when there's having issuesare with their health or problems veterans administration, he goes the extra mile to help those people. lot of time with police military people. where there was a 26-year-old young man that cancer and his dream was to see star wars and to meet donald trump. a lot of timepent with him. i see the things that he does out.ly to help people

he's a very giving person. person.onderful i've had some opportunities to meet his family members, his family members are very down to earth. measurement asa a father how your kids are. he's a wonderful warm person. which the people and certainly the media doesn't portray that. he's someone that's lot different than when he's on stage. guest is brad zaun from iowa. he's an iowa state senator and the donaldort of trump campaign in iowa. it you want to ask questions about the campaign there, why he issuess donald trump and relating to that, here's how you guest.k to our 202-748-8000 for democrats, for reps,01 independents.or

first call is for you senator carolina on our independent line. you're on with our guest. ahead. caller: thank you. i want top first initiate the conversation with a lifelong republican until 2008 when i turned independent and more often than not, this year. i'm so tired of electing people who go to washington with promises from me to represent me failhen get up there and miserably. this year going to go with something different like donald trump. is how thees me intelligences up there in washington takes his common make fun of him. he's a builder. he's a success. uses common language like building. huge

they do it. build me a strong wall. and they do it. build me a strong security department. they do it. that's not hard to understand. have to read between the words of donald trump. it, it gets done. i believe when he gets to washington, i really believe he's be our next president. he'll use common speak. to use theve difficult speak, which will trip intelligents up. guest: well, that was a great trumpcial for the campaign. one thing that i really think word isd at is his golden. i really trust what he says he's going to do. touched on ay nerve in the united states with

his -- i think it's more plain talk. certainly conversations that he on the stage, people can relate to. doesn't complicate issues. i think obviously this year is a different year in the iowa caucuses that i've never seen before. look at what's going on with the sanders campaign and the trump. doing the same thing. they're talking more to the common ordinary person. what danny said. host: huntsville, georgia, upocrats line, mike you're next. amaze: it never seizes to ifthat -- can you imagine brags ofama had the this individual. he's been called arrogant and all that. trump, theys to tod all of these nice words

coat him with. last caller talk about him it getsuild me this and done. that's a dictator. as all the trappings of a dictator. yet they didn't see it. it.'re blind to can you imagine barack obama was that way. this country is getting very dangerous for people like me. to me the trump slogan really is make america white again. that's really what the slogan again. whistle.dog when barack obama became president. he put his trust in john mccain and mitt romney didn't dot job. he's out here to clean up america and get it white again. what he's campaigning about. host: senator zaun, would you like to respond? i like tol, respectfully disagree with mike. travel with mr. trump at

most of the campaign rallies. you cannot believe how many minorities, including last night rally.e veterans there's so many minorities there. true.s not i regards to dictator, disagree with that as well. he's a businessman. you have to be a leader. toughve to make decisions. obviously he's been very successful. issay that he's a racist absolutely not true. host: republican line, new york, ahead.go caller: hi, how you doing. mr. trump is absolutely phenomenal. wayou understand the government works, government is taking the best people out there. it's just like building a building. you want the best contractor to there. you want the best architect to come in there. you get all of these people

together for certain different projects that you doing. is exactly the way government works. you get the best people from the come in there. it buys you. to tell you what's right. have to be a smart enough man to know that these people you correctly and to implement what they're saying. barack obama doesn't do that. a few people around him that block him from all the come out there that really know what they're talking about. stop him from understanding what done. be he has his own vision of the crazy vision.s a and donald trump has a vision of to say, i'm going to bring in the best people. to going to figure out a way straighten this country out, whether it's the budget, whether better military, whatever the case might be. builder is exactly what we

need this country. you take the best people, you and you listener to their ideas. you create something terrific. what donald trump will do. host: thank you. mr. zaun? guest: you know the most mostssful public servant, successful business people surround themselves with great people. delegators. you have to trust the people around you. obviously if you're president of the ceo ofstates or a large corporation, you have to youron other people for success. obviously, the successes that had in the real estate business, he had relied on great people. the campaign trail many times talking about getting the the rightle and place. i just go back to ronald reagan i reallymeone that thought was an incredible president as a younger person. he surrounded

himself with great people. every successful company or public servant surrounds themselves with great people. i know that he's going to do that. -- insenator zaun, the washington polk oh post talk -- post talk about donald trump. says, trump has limited concern for the central tenant the american conservatism and of the tea party movement. limited government. to that? you respond guest: well, i wouldn't say i charles.with we have a lot of tea party of realnd a lot conservatives. i just got stopped in the iowa by aal on this last week pastor that said, listen, kind a a a a a over senator cruz others. with and wanted to be support donald trump. veryve -- i am a

conservative person. i obviously have lots of conversations with mr. trump about where he's at on issues. is aly believe he conservative. quite sure why charles or what information he has. based on my conversation, he the bill. host: you probably saw that ad coming from the ted cruz where it shows donald trump's words from previous conversations including social issues like abortion. to play that ad for you. then talk about donald trump's social position, especially on issues on life. it.s listen to >> hey, i lived in new york city and manhattan all my life. little bite a different than if i lived in iowa. >> they are different like on abortion. >> would president trump ban abortion? pro-choice. >> what does trump think about iowa? >> how stupid are the people of

iowa. >> donald trump new york values, not ours. >> my views are different than iowa.ived in >> i'm ted cruz, i approve this message. host: senator zaun, donald trump said he's pro-life now. what do you do with those words from the past? guest: well, i can only go with the conversations i've had with him. in iowahat's going on now. there are so many negative ads a candidate are taken out regards to where they're at. -- it's thenate nature of the beast in politics. i feel very comfortable. become more conservative through time. obviously, i measure someone where they're at today and i of these ads, senator cruz is doing, are taking him out of context.

i feel very comfortable about where donald trump is on some of are verys that important to me. thessues are important to economy. host: senator zaun, him,rsations with specifically what have you asked him on these life issues such as abortion. how has he responded? guest: i'm not going to share conversations i had with him. i did ask him about this issue, life issue. he assured me that he was a person. i was satisfied what he said. is up next in nevada on the independent line. forer: i like to thank you showing the trump event last night c-span. that's what i watched instead of the debate. i figure all of those people are for.y much bought and paid donald trump doesn't have to worry about that. i think he's the man for the

job. i'm a veteran, i thought what he did was pretty great deal last night. i think the country is such dire after seven years of barack obama. we need somebody like him to it around. guest: thank you don. excuse me, pedro. you don. i salute your service and thank you for your service to our country. we had an incredible rally last night. $6 million. they're going to go to local ineran organizations here iowa. which is really awesome. mentioned earlier is that i have a strong military. that doesn't mean going to war but having a strong military. just an example that was president reagan, it's very important to me. what's going on with isis is a

huge threat to all the christians in the world and states.y in the united i think that we need to step up. in thisour reputation went o downhill under the obama administration. excited about his candidacy and hopefully future president. host: andre, decatur, georgia, democrats lane. caller: yes. i was just calling to say, if people think donald trump will be a good president, they need to wake up and educate .hemselves donald trump is not giving specifics on what he'll do with war, the jobs situation situation.lthcare i just think donald trump just onhe's out there going people anger and frustration. he's not going to be a good

president. host: senator zaun has donald enough to lay out policy positions in your mind? guest: yes, do i. had some conversations about education.egards to he rolled out a tax plan here. i've been told there's going to plans that will be rolled out. i know you can go on the website. of can find all kinds information there. most importantly, he does a lot of interviews. the tvime you turn on station, he goes into specifics when he's asked. what he's trying to do, when he talk and communicates doesn't americans, he try to complicate it. he does have details for so many different issues that are to americans out there. i think he's right on mark when comes to all of those issues. host: iowa voters, if you want questions.guest

iowa,ives in eagle grove, you're on independent line. let youi just wanted to -- i wanted to talk muslim ban. think people think he's totally racistist. is.n't think he you're a teacher at school, you have a bunch of kids and you three kids. they're so naughty and you get so tired of it, they decided to say, you know what we're just going to let the clam take care of -- classroom take care of it. pretty soon kids come together class.y are a great i feel like that's what he's been doing. people. to warn we have to have him vetted. nobody would say anything and he -- feelemale like

like he said that. on out what is going there. that's kind of what i wanted. i think that people can shy away from that. it's more of an analogy on what he wants in the world. us to be better people. that was kind of my thought. what do you think about that? guest: thank you kate. you got a beautiful city there. i would tell you that it's totally been misrepresented what regards tont was in -- refugees. s there a concern. the number one priority of the statesnt of the united is to protect the american people. not a racial profile person. he's not someone that's a racist. with that said, what he

basedicated to everybody, on the information from the obama administration, they don't coming into this country. the happened in paris in paris bombing, which was , there was several refugees that were terrorists who killed so many people in paris. there's a lot of other candidates who said the same thing. i as a state legislator, we're that conversation. listen, there might be refugees that might come to the state of iowa. as a statebility senator is to protect the citizens of the state of iowa. mr. trump is trying to communicate, listen, i'm not won't have any refugees here. we're a welcoming country. we're all refugees from way back in history. sure that those refugees are vetted and we have the information. we can't get information from

people.an government on i as a dad of five kids, want to are doing thiswe right and protecting americans from a terrorist attack. agree with mr. trump on this. host: from rockville, maryland, line, alex good morning. caller: good morning. start with a couple of points a question for the senator. i don't believe donald trump is good candidate for a man who is self-funding his campaign and hopefully you think would have large resources. we've heard very little solutions on policy, good policy.s to for the senator and for my example, donald trump comment about building a wall to deal with immigration. i believe this isn't a good solution. i don't believe it is. truly a plausible solution and i'll let the senator comment

what he thinks. guest: okay, thank you alex. got a couple things here. i want to comment on your statement. ie thing i will tell you, mentioned this before, i've never seen a campaign i've been in four different presidential campaigns. run more efficiently than the campaign he has in iowa. i know we got the same thing on in other states. it's run like a business where are responsible to do tasks of the day and some accountability there. obviously, he not spent a lot of because he gets so many media attention. in regards to the wall, i'm not state.e southern i've got a lot of friends from the south. really believe we cannot solve our immigration problem and a wall. build you can turn on the tv and go to

youtube and you can find out and at so many videos. there's so many people that are border.cross our what really concerns me is not only the criminals are coming, but most importantly the terrorists that are coming border.he i really believe he as well as other presidential candidates, candidates throughout there, believe number one, we to makebuild a wall sure that we're not getting all of these people. of thisention the cost to all the taxpayers. democratsfornia, line. victoria. hi. caller: listening and been listening to what you call andblishment republican conservative. one basic question i guess because i do try to

in evangelicals and christ. listen to trump. it really takes me back to what call the exodus of egypt. that one hand is good things, beautiful things and the world is not all by money., it is also how you treat, how youtalk to people and how make other people feel. do you think jesus christ would have treated and talked to this? like build walls, hatred, bring up separate people? there could be some good factors about him. we've got the marriage issue, which i'm not going to say why he's divorced. are things to me that you aren't evangelical, any kind of christian that you, the republican, evangelicals, all relate to, that we need to open

our ears and hear more of what saying. is i don't think we're hearing everything that we need to hear trump.m donald host: victoria, thank you. guest: victoria, thank you for the question. know how to comment on that. we're all sinners. no doubt that i know it's been very public about a lot of in his life that's going on. i am i wife,efore, judge someone based on their children. i think it's really reflective of the person and he gets an a in regards to that with his children. you mentioned something about establishment and conservatives, he's attracted both. obviously, the establishment has really split up in the state of iowa. we got a lot of really good

there.tes that are out for some reason, he's polling higher. the ultimate poll will be on february 1st next monday. we'll just have to see what happens. statebrad zaun is an iowa senator, supporter of donald trump. before your do political career? guest: he a hardware store for years. president of chamber of was asked to run for city council. i did and i ran for mayor and was successful running there. then i got asked to run for state senate. i always been a small business person. my state senate has been more of a public service. it's not a full time career. full time career out of politics. it's just service to my community. being at of curiosity, state senator there, are there

rules to you and your fellow toators when you decide endorse presidential candidates and participate in their state?ns in the guest: there is a rule that was passed couple of years ago that you can't get paid. even before that rule was in when you get paid for endorsement, it takes away the genuineness of that endorsement. there really is no rule. know that i think i've been told i'm the only elected official in the state of iowa has endorsed mr. trump. when i got asked to endorse him, really don't i want a lot of establishment people or elected officials. know why mr. trump asked me to endorse him. that, at least three quarters of my colleagues both democrats and republicans someone in this presidential caucus. them,just to clarify

donald trump himself hasn't made any contributions to your political causes? guest: never has. host: florida, chuck, good morning. republican line. go ahead. caller: good morning. that keeps question emerging in my mind which makes this political candidate, donald trump, unique. that's written to him and i received to date four responses. he's very personable. that question that keeps is simpling compared to the other political foridates, what's in it donald trump? to me, if he wanted to at this think he's somewhere between 66 and 70. at 35 and enjoying my 40th year. that question is, what's in it him. he can stay home and watch the soaps. he apparently, is so concerned about this country as a

usservative, like so many of 71% to entitlement. that we have to do something. can't imagine another candidate that has no financial to anyone else, super pacs, etcetera. like this candidate. keeps reemerging to me that question. chuck.hanks guest: yes chuck, good point. you'reaying earlier, obviously seeing the other side, being portrayed by the media in regards to how he is privately. right now that's a great example of how to be president of the united states. get frustrated when our elected officials that don't care. respond.t i think the reason why -- i don't think, i know why he's president.

he loves this country. a big passion. he's been a successful business .erson and he's got a plan for his children to run his company. rightgoing to do the thing. he is self-funding his campaign to oweis not going anybody. being aentioned before, business owner for a ceo or elected official, you have to lead. missing in's washington d.c. now. host: morgantown, north carolina, mike you're on next for iowa. he's on the democrats line. caller: i wanted to state that trump, he was born -- very successful. he has not included what it is out of publicy up school. a self-made man like a

contractor out here. i can understand the hard work. need to have the slightest understanding what it is to live week to week on a to live out here in the working class society. in societyhim out without his identity as it is now, i wonder if he would make it. has no diplomacy history what ever, foreign diplomacy. giving ahere that is justrful vouch for him, i thed a deeper cloth in barnyard to belly up to. i think there's a lot of sons trueyou look at the history of who this man is. he can havewhether a clear understanding for all ever us who live and work in

this country. guest: well, i disagree with mike. you -- you know, i'm a small business person. i came from nothing. i had a dream to own a hardware store. i lived my dream. i sold my store and i'm involved other businesses since then. mr. trumphold against because his father was a developer. grew thatthis, he business 100 fold. he wants to do, this is what i want to do as a state toator, i want to everybody live the american dream. you should be rewarded for hard work. when we get troubled have this culture war going on in regards to being successful is a terrible thing. because they are the people that

employed all of these americans and iowans out there. employers, take a huge risk. what our most number one is.tal investment it's our people. we pays people well with benefits. based oned someone their experience from their successes. think it's great that we have someone that's going to go to that's not from inside washington d.c. who has been a lifetime elected official. it's refreshing. lake, ohioclear independent line. don't tend to speak for anyone but myself. when the cameras leave and they will, there will be another election. it will -- we will take it as seriously as we do this one and .e do everyone

i'm not endorsing anyone. thishave to give trump credit. he focused on issues. not placate us with, i want to reduce taxes. i want to increase education. foreign import and export and this and that. military.e now we're zero hours here. going to leave and we would very much like it would stot count -- stop counting our votes before we cast them. democrat and republican. i'm an independent. don't count me until after i put in my vote. don't ask me, i won't tell you after.or host: candy, when you think will make a final decision. ballotoing to be at the box? caller: yes as usual.

is upwhen the dogcatcher for election. i make my vote on paper. we still do it on paper with day.l on the we still have to look each other after susan leaves and all the hollywood and cameras go away. away.ey will go we will still have to deal with flyover, no football team having state. we're still going to get up in morning, go out in whatever our way.omes don't cut this out we're evangelical. get to heaven just by what you put in the collection plate. you. thank love clearlake, i was with mr. trump there. demonstrates a lot of frustration that's out there. ago, my phonets

rang about every five minutes. we get so many robocalls. the poll that she's talking about. no measure us where we're at. iowans want.o i think the one thing that i want to communicate to all americans that are out there, is not a complicated process. you show up 6:30 on caucus night, which is monday. caucus starts at 7:00. you'll have a few speakers representing each campaign. ballot.have a secret it's just a piece of paper that you go in there and you write supporting.re then you can leave after that. we're not going to have the same mistakes that we have. up. got everything lined they tested this new google app to make sure that this happens quickly so we don't drag this thing out.

most importantly, one thing that i noticed pedro and a lot of that -- our rallies, i have an opportunity to speak mr. trump. i take a survey from the crowd, are caucusgoers. that's what's excited about before trump. it's usually a quarter to a of the audience that never been to a caucus. people are independents and democrats. if you show up in the caucus, you need to switch party registration if you want to vote for mr. trump or any other republicanand switch and the day after you can switch back to independent or democrat. drawn out night by theing portrayed media. i'm proud of our process and i'm monday night. for host: brad zaun supports the there.ampaign senator zaun, thanks for your

time. honor,it's been an pedro. another guest from iowa, bob vander plaats on ridge voters in the state plus support of ted cruz. iowa simpsonack to college. students there getting front row but also active parents in -- participants of the political campaign of the state. >> olivia anderson and zack are simpsones here in college. olivia, you came to simpson college specifically for iowa politics. what did you find >> whenever i was making my college choice, i thought location near doe -- des moines. coming it's been a whirlwind of opportunities. whether it be senate or house elections, presidential elections that are currently

happening now. was able to be in the hillary clinton campaign. just due to the fact that i live here in iowa. >> you're also president of the college democrats. a democrat?ways >> actually whenever i was growing up, i crew up in a area. conservative i grew up a republican. after just learning more and educate myself, i figured out i rely more with values.ic that transition happened in college and definitely exciting iowa.t happened here in differently.e bit -- >> i'm a sheriff for the warren campaign. i also help run the campaign in the iowa. with theole we work different students and all the chairs of the students for rubio. that they have.s planned whether it's debate

party or even coming out and candidates and the issues. >> do you think your generation is as active in politics as generations? >> i like to think we are. whoously we'll have people are pretty pessimistic about our generation. that we are think not engaged. just across the state, there are plenty of young people concerned nationhe state of our and who want to be involved and help make sure we get it back on track. >> how did you become a republican? >> i became a republican, like raised a fairly conservative household. my familya part of for generations. my great grandfather actually involved with the republican of iowa. >> where will you be on caucus night? >> i will be supporting marco rubio. >> i'm going to be here on cam cuss. have caw -- caucus locations

and i will be supporting hillary. >> there are so many candidates democraticblican and side. they will have each of them today. what we're going to be looking events that really give you a sense of what it's like to campaign for the caucuses. what's key is organization. you need to make sure those get towho support you the caucuses. it's going to be interesting to see how the candidates are the deal, sell their message and convince those people who might still be on the fence to go for candidate a or candidate b. what you'll see is essentially wall to wall coverage on c-span as these candidates make their final pitches. >> c-span this weekend. live coverage of the in iowa.ial candidates >> "washington journal" continues. host: again a shot of downtown

des moines in iowa. our studiosite of "washington journal" featuring guests from the state and from that city. in our final segment for this morning, vander plaats of the family leader, he serves as president and ceo. the ted cruzporter campaign. mr. vander plaats, good morning. morning.od thrilled to be with you. host: could you talk about the tedort that you given to cruz now? is this done formally through your organization or is this from you personally? guest: this is from me personally. organization really decided that a standardo be barrier and not a king maker. we have a lot of our base of familywho support the leaders who may be supporting a lot of different candidates. went out to do a personal endorse. of ted cruz. committed leaders are to the standards that we hold into gosh --rowthing

endorsement. host: who is the average person cause?port your guest: the average person is somebody that's interested in family and government. our mission is to strengthen by inspiring christlike leadership in the church, home and government. where god institutions where intersect, that's basically our focus. obviously the one that gets all the notoriety is our work with the government. women to get good men and to be office holders either at the state level or federal level president.g for then making sure that the policies line up according to god. our foundersay designed it. and nature of god. we try to promote it. heart, thennst his we try to make sure that doesn't happen. a great team. we really believe that it's

about cultural transformation first. turning our heart back to god. if we do that, we'll impact elections and if we do that we'll influence policy. model foran effective others to follow. it's a great organization. thousands of people from all other the country that support our organization. they love what we do. again, we like being a standard barrier and not a king maker. personal endorsement, i endorse ted cruz because of the he adheres top other than just saying i want a seat table. ted cruz is a very principled, conservative. host: mr. vander plaats, others field, also express religious faith. from religious background. why mr. cruz over the others who views?imilar

guest: that's a good point. there's a lot of good candidates race. two of them i den een-- endorsed path, governor mike huckabee and senator rick santorum. lot of them. ted cruz one is the character. he has consistency of conviction. is this something that's been him.ded in does he has a road to des moines conversion. for ted cruz, he's had consistency of conviction. high character and great integrity. also are they confident. can they do the job. cruz isted exceptionally confident. lot of people like to think they're the smartest guy, ted cruz believes may be the smartest guy in the room. solicitorork as

general in texas. see how confident he is. you take a look at the company, the people they surround with.lves this has been just a great like-minded profamily constitutional conservatives who are rallying has a ted cruz. he tremendous team. that tells people all the time, easy choice.n after a lot became a very obvious choice. ted cruz is one people who are uniting around. ted cruz is the one i believe we iowa and keen -- values. our host: he's talking about his of ted cruz. how they play into the iowa es.cus republicans and

202-748-8002 for independents. there was a piece about donald callednd the piece is itmp devices god voters" says six months ago the conventional wisdom was forgious freedom issues employers providing insurance coverage would form the core of appeal for evangelicals alongside opposition to abortion. mr. trump doesn't pay lip them.e to mr. trump show just how little those issues matter to a good many earth while culture warrior. would wow respond to that statement? is that something you agree with? guest: what it is, donald trump very effective at tapping into the emotion of the people. they're frustrated with the government. they need leadership to fix it. being said, a lot of evangelicals fit that mode. americans.ical they're drawn to maybe a donald trump. i think when people take a look at donald trump's record versus

ted cruz's record, scripture is clear, you will know them by their fruit. for's why they'llen drawn to ted cruz. you see a lot of criminals evangelicals -- are breaking from donald trump to ted cruz. they see ted cruz an effective values. of their people righted now in iowa, people in iowa break late. watching the debate that happened last night or watching the events taking place weekend, you will start seeing that movement take place. believe ted cruz is the real deal. he's one you don't have to marriage,n life, on on religious liberty on the separation of power. you.there for donald trump his record is very mixed. that's i think it will make a determining factor when it comes to the iowa caucuses. you isirst call from from jane from marietta, line.a, democrats

go ahead. caller: i wanted to call in and say that i previously been a democrat and have voted for obama. however, trump will be getting vote this time. i will switch gears. i feel like obama has been a detriment to our country in racial division. it's quite upsetting that the firsty will reflect the african-american president when in reality, he is the first president. he had a moment to bring the races together. however, i feel he has divided point inflamed it to a that we might not be able to turn around an an attempt to control the mass. i do feel that trump can turn this country around. we need to clean house. need a clean slate. we need a fresh breath of air to turn this country around. marietta,'s jane from

georgia. you can respond to that if you like. guest: i'd say thank you to jane for saying that you're a to move and now going over and vote for [inaudible] >>. -- donald trump, with all due respect, has donated to all of them to basically say, i can control them. said, wanted to see with they can give to me? this is what i can do for the country.

that's what i like donald trump, i consider him a friend, i believe to crews -- ted cruz is the principal leader that can go the distance. when ted cruz wins this nomination, i hope you will be with ted cruz even though donald trump will not be the one running against hillary clinton. host: tommy, republican line, savanna georgia. caller: i would like to comment on the debate last night. got it handed to him. i did not think you did well at all. myself, and a trump supporter. i believe that fox news, they can't stand him because he is not an establishment republican. does not know anybody anything. that is the biggest problem with washington dc . they are all bought and paid

for. what does it take to be a senator now? $20 million? host: when you said ted cruz got beat up last night, would you mean? caller: i just think he did. he got mad. he was want to storm of the state because they were picking on him. i just didn't like anything he had to say. host: that is tommy. gladt of all, i'm tommy said he is a trump supporter first. tongue-in-cheek, reference to donald trump. last night, donald trump went awol. he left his position, his post because he did not want to stand up to fox news and megyn kelly. if you're are not going to stand up to megyn kelly, how are you

going to stand up to china, to putin, to nuclear iran? he said he was going to repeal every word of obamacare and put ineffective reform that is beneficial to the country and its citizen. what ted cruz could have said is that donald trump's health care reform mirrors that of bernie sanders. it is a socialite system. that is what donald trump wants. on illegal immigration, i ted cruz hit it out of the park. he wanted more amnesty. he won at the borders to be basically less secure. we estimate of these people by not what they're saying today, but what is in their record. the other place enough it out of the park, in the state of iowa, he is saying, renewable fields

will do better in the free market. given of the mandate, subsidies. , hee donald trump has been has been saying, i will grace the establishment because they know i am all about the art of the deal. they are things that you should not be playing the art of the deal with. you are going to need to have a principled conservative who has been consistent in their approach. again, i like donald trump as much as anybody does. but now we need to get to leadership that is worthy to be in the white house. whencome tommy's support donald trump is not the nominee and ted cruz is. in des moines, iowa. democrats line. caller: hello. thanks for taking my call. i am an adult evangelical christian as well. n evangelical

christian as well. the bible says god establishes authority. ultimately god chooses who runs everything. because saydered you vote for ted cruz and he loses? wha what happens is that you voted against god because god did not choose him, right? because that if i choose him. when mittlifies is romney was a vote for because he is a mormon. who can't vote for him -- are they going to vote for? obama? it is a time when two christians should've realized that this government is not of this world. two christians will wait for the

coming of the lord jesus christ and pray for his return. trust in government or in men? host: ok, we will let our guest respond. guest: i would like to say amen after that. we should never put our hope and demand, but our hope into jesus christ, our lord, and our savior. the scripture is filled with -- people tothat allows have the king the people deserve, not the king the people desire. that also gives us a spirit of free will. it has to be accepted. -- that is why we like to be ambassadors for jesus christ to the well that they would be drawn into. light into a dark place. also with the free well, we get to choose our king, our

president. going for whoever it might be to say, that is my choice, god gives us that kind of free will. you are right, god is sovereign. that does not mean we always get the king he wants for us. our goal as christians is to engage the culture. i believe revival begins in the house of the lord. engage it in our families. engage the culture. speaking the truth and in love. that is one of the best things i think we can do. i am thrilled to stand with senator ted cruz because he knows who he is and he knows who he serves. so dan, i appreciate the call. and i say amen to a lot of what you just said. for the huckabee for residents the chair and 20,000 -- 2008.

mr. banter plot, with did you think when you heard the endorsement? falwell to ask jerry wike chose to endorse beltran. there is a lot to like about donald trump. i consider him a friend. he and i have a relationship that goes back several years. i do think you have to take a look at the moral foundation, the moral underpinnings -- when you know them by their fruits, whether it is the sanctity of human live -- he says he is pro-choice. on marriage, he said the courts have made the decision, get over it. he is for an activist court and an definition of marriage. religious liberty gets thrown up for grabs. and it is about being -- and he is about the art of the deal.

that is what people in this country are tired of. everybody gets the art of the deal except we continue to raise our debt, our borders continue to be porous, we continue to undermine thees, institution of the family -- we need a leader today who knows what principle conservative constitutionalism is. not someone who will run and fox news and megyn kelly are going to ask tough questions. this is not about kerry follow. the next time someone and i will comes up to me and says, they are caucusing for donald trump because jerry falwell told them so, because jerry falwell endorsed, that will be the first time. i don't see that endorsement covering a lot of ground here. i was is a very intellectual -- wans our intellectual and

very savvy. independent line, los angeles, california. caller: i have a couple of questions besides a statement. the statement is pertaining to asking for gifts. he is associated with goldman sachs. he does not have to. as far as all of this religion -- i hope everyone understands that jesus christ is a socialist. am i my brother's keeper? 2:9 -- let's get back to the racism of how it started with obama and all of that. it actually started when they said that obama, whose mother is white and a citizen of this country, was not eligible to run. -- eligible to run for president. then it was because he was born in kenya.

they when they found out he was born in hawaii, he had to prove that his certificate was authentic. so, what is the difference between him and cruz except for their color? can you tell me that? guest: dan, that is a very fair azido. question?ir isst: i think the similarity that they have the same person questioning the verification of their birth and that is donald trump. wans know that ted cruz good run for president. did he have to be naturalized to be a citizen? everybody says, no, he was naturalized. well, how did he get to be an american citizen? he is eligible to serve as

president. i agree with you in regards to jesus christ. just about -- he taught people how to fish, he just didn't give them fish. jesus was always about giving people a hand up versus a hand out. he was always about giving correction and then saying go and sin no more. he was about making the blind see and then making them be productive. jesus created us to be producers that to maximize our potential and not be dependent on a government entity. it was never the design. the design was that we would get to maximize our god-given gifts. with senator cruz going back to the constitutional principles, that is the kind of president you're going to have. so dan, i welcome your vote and support as well. host: bill, knoxville, tennessee. you are up next. caller: how are you?

-- i amo ask more about a liberal democrat from tennessee. my sister is a conservative republican in iowa and she is going to caucus. she has caucused for governor huckabee. , -- your guys in the mix in a couple of others. what i am curious about is how do you get the ground gang to convince my sister when she does that piece of paper to write ted cruz's name down as opposed to the others she is thinking about? peace be with you and this is a really cool thing in iowa. i talked to my sister last night and, man, you have a lot of fun. she is really taking it seriously. have you convinced my sister to write ted cruz as opposed to the other dudes? thanks were talking to me and

good evening. guest: peace be with you. you are right. and i want, we are having a lot of fun. it is like a super bowl that goes on for multiple days until monday night when we take the vote. i thank her for voting for governor huckabee in 2008. in 2016, it is different. two race has come down to individuals -- one on the state and one who was absent without leave. that is centered ted cruz and donald trump. so a vote that goes for anybody else is going to be a vote for trump. if we unite around ted cruz, he will be the winner on monday night. when it comes down to this, when you put your head down on the pillow at night, who are you going to trust to uphold the constitution, to honor their family and country, and who is

going to lead with the principal conservatism that your sister saw and governor mike huckabee and senator santorum? who doesn't have a 60 year record, a 60 year plus record of liberal decisions on many of the issues of life, marriage, family, religious liberty, and socialized medicine, and the military, and those things, and who has the judgment and the discernment? that is the biggest thing i have against donald trump. i consider him a good friend. there is a judgment and discernment issue. when he comes and says he has never asked him for forgiveness, that is an issue to me. he says he likes veterans who worked captured. it means you're disparaging all veterans. i don't care how much money you raise last night. when you may come inside that, you are disparaging all veterans. i am a father of a tied with a

disability. when you mock someone with a disability, that is an insult. if you say you can shoot someone in new york city and not be is a pride andat arrogance people need to be concerned about. when you say you are going to embrace the establishment because you're all about the art of the deal, i think that gives a to and fro and shifting in the convinced hen't be will do the right thing. you have a choice. someone who was calm to the party late -- someone who has come to the party late and has run a great reality tv show. i would hope he would go with ted cruz. friendsou can get your and neighbors to go ted cruz as well. host: paul, good morning. caller: good morning.

i want to thank you for taking my call. i want you to know that i want a minute or two. host: go ahead. caller: i want to make a statement. first thing is, the war we are in right now started a long time ago when bill clinton was in office. while ourhis hiney men were killed. osama bin laden declared war on this country and he sat there and did not go get him. they need to figure out that our god don't work that way. people hold up for abortionists and gay lovers.

they stand up for the sickening ideas. democrats today are sickening as far as i am concerned. that first color, -- that first caller, you better figure out who you are serving. you are serving an idle. destroyingbama is the country. i want to ask you requested a, sir. my children pray every time they take a meal in their mouth. bible hasame that our been taken out of school. it stinks! only chance our childrens got

starts right here at home. host: thank you for your comment, paul. guest: thank you for your comment as well. you are right, the war has been waiting for a long time. one of the best things we can do is take a lesson from ronald reagan that we get peace through strength. militaryo honor our and honor the veterans who have served the country so well. we need to beef up the troops. you heard that last night. bush, ted rubio, jeb cruz, from dr. carson, from the people on that stage, we need to build up the military again, not because we want to lord it over people. waging,e war has been there is nothing new under the

sun. ever since the fall of man, there has been spiritual warfare going on. there is a basic question we need to answer. is there a god, or is there not a god? in charlotte, north carolina and 2012, the democratic national committee removed got out of the party platform. you don't remove got out of the party platform by accident, you do it intentionally. if you have no god, the government is the god, or you are the god. we are selfish people by nature. i want the world my way. paul, you want the world your way. suzy want the world her way. you will have a train wreck. our founders knew that. the declaration of independence ,rinted the words law of nature meaning that would be our

unifying standard. if the country answers the questions, if there a god is a mark we need to line up -- if there is a god? we need to line up to his principles and precepts. if the answer is there is not a god then heaven help us. at the end of the day, that is a train wreck. host: bernard, independent line. go ahead. caller: how are you doing, pedro? question for bob. i am a little confused. i hear all these conservatives speaking about they are christians and that, and i get fit the because jesus sick, i meanhe healed the sick and fed the

poor. these people don't want to give health care, feed nobody, pay no give me whatsaid the long serving. i get confused when people claim to be christians, i don't know al qaeda christians they claim to be. here is the other thing -- ted cruz, this guy, he shut down the government, his wife is a part of goldman sachs, alumni, this guy, bob, if you think he is going to become the president of the united states, you are delusional. ok? good luck with that. good luck with that. would you like me to comment? [laughter] first of all, regarding

christianity, there is no doubt is right.re saying the best evangelism tool we have for christianity is christians. the worst evangelical tool we have is other christians. at the end of the day, christianity is about paying what is god-given. that requires a 10th. got requires a 10th of everybody. whether you make $10 or $10 million. there is a sacrifice to it. value judeo christian is we are the most generous. that is why this country is the most generous country ever known to mankind because of our judeo-christian values. we don't see that always coming through the government. in fact, the government many

times, is a poor steward of those resources. it would be better coming from ted and heidi. see with ted and heidi is that they are threaded with the love of the lord, the love of their ma, and the love of this country. we would be well served with that kind of leadership that shows a dose of humility and honor as they look to leave. from connecticut, democrats line come on the line with bob vander plaats. caller: these are very difficult calls for me to follow. forum. a wonderful i am happy to speak to a supporter of senator cruz. is not cruz constitutionally eligible to run for president because he was born in canada. host: ok, nathan. is that the statement?

guest: so if you follow that thread, if you have a missionary sun and daughter, and they have a child, your grandson or daughter overseas maybe in africa, if you follow that line of threat, they would not be eligible. that is the fact that mitt romney's that was eligible. he was born in mexico. but he was able to go -- he was eligible to run for president. john mccain's sun was in the was in the son military and able to run for president. when we start running that a nonsensical thread. ted cruz is definitely eligible. itald trump likes to hype because ted cruz is a threat to donald trump and the iowa caucuses and in the republican primary. there is no doubt that this answer is straightforward, he is eligible. this guy has won several cases

in the ohio supreme court. i think he knows if he is eligible or not to run for president. host: south carolina, mary, you are on. caller: i would like to say that they are hypocrites. in the white house, we had bill clinton coming out of the church with a bible in his hand fornicating in the white house. we have obama in there now aching he is a christian. you see him one minute and he has a vital, and minute he is in a bar drinking beer. he is a straight up center -- sinner. i am voting for donald trump this time myself. guest: i think the people are looking for is authenticity. a lot of us are in different

places of our faith journey. it is a maturation process. i do think we have to take a look at the fruits as well. with ted cruz, you are going to see the fruits that exhibit a judeo-christian worldview and that type of leadership. when i will caucus-goers are wasg to land -- when i caucus-goers -- a lot of donald trump supporters -- they are upset because he was not on the debate stage. there is a lot of others leaving the candidates to come to cr uz. let the vote take place. with ted cruz, when you use that kind of measuring tool, you will see he is measured up exceptionally well. host: between now and monday, what is your personal role?

other evidence involved? the family leader as an organization, we are not advocating any one candidate over another. we are encouraging the church and people who go to church to engage caucus process. we believe that is their civic duty. we are not telling them what party to choose or who to vote for. lotole is i will be doing a of media today and tomorrow, i will be traveling with the senator all over the state of iowa. the central side to the western side and then over to the eastern side and then back to des moines. we are looking for to making a final push. sunday, more media. ending rally.an i hope the snow from the are talking about for iowa, i hope that holds off.

let everybody get out and cast their vote. let the votes be counted and let's see how i was speaks. plots,r. vendor situation of gay marriage has changed at the federal level. some states endorsing racial use of marijuana. what you think of the role of social conservatism? are they so influential in this day and age? guest: i don't take we should measure social conservatism if it is influential or not. if people of faith are sincere, they are always going to be light. let your light shine effectively. i think what you see with these issues, got designs it, nature will reveal it, and science will always back it up. you are seeing that in the abortion debate right now. science reveals that life begins

at conception and inns at natural death -- ends at natural death. what the court did is that they undefined the institution of marriage. it is not about same-sex marriage, it is about anything goes marriage. i have a lot of good friend to see differently on this issue. about god'sbeing standard. for people of faith, let your light shine. wonjob isn't about, you every time. never let that light go out. host: thank you for your time, sir. guest: thank you, pedro. for our program today.